19/09/2011 BBC Channel Islands News

Hello, good evening. Welcome to the first BBC Channel Islands of the

week. Coming up on the programme. Keeping learners off the roads - an

attempt to ban new drivers from driving.

Plus - a donkey derby with a difference - how our four-legged

friends raised thousand for charity. And joy for Jinsy - why Guernsey's

celebrating a not entirely A new law could soon mean that

learner drivers won't be able take to Jersey's roads until they've

passed a driving theory test. It's being proposed by Parish Constables,

who think it will make the roads safer for all road-users. But as

Beckie Williams now reports, driving instructors aren't

convinced. Final preparations before the big

day. After several lessons and practise Tabatha's nearly ready to

take her driving test. But a new law could soon mean that others

like her have to pass their theory before taking to the roads. I was

driving for about two weeks before I took my theory test with my

parents and by instructor, so it is good because I was used to both

cars that I was driving and it meant that Abbas regularly

practising and getting used to the brogues. Before 1998, people had to

answer questions from the Highway Code, but this is now an online

test of multiple choice questions. All those who took their driving

test before 1998 had to answer questions from the Highway Code

book. But now you The Constables Committee say it gives learners a

better knowledge of the Highway Code and the sooner they take it

the better. They come back to the parish hall and say that we did not

booked the theory, we had exams that we could not get their quite.

But driving instructors and sure it is the right decision. I think it

will hold people back. In Jersey, when somebody is 17, they want to

get themselves on the road, because it is difficult, the bendy every

lead. Public transport is not that brilliant. When you're 17, you'll

want to get out on the roads. Islanders could apply to sit the

test up to a year before their 17th birthday. Whilst Parish Constables

insist making learners take a theory test before having lessons

will make the roads safer, Statistically, drivers are more

likely to have an accident after they pass their driving test.

Two people accused of posting messages on Facebook allegedly

encouraging civil unrest in Guernsey at the time of the English

riots last month have had the charges against them dropped. The

men, aged 19 and 17, appeared in Guernsey's Magistrates Court this

morning, when the prosecution said the charges were being withdrawn.

Voting has begun in Jersey's election. For the first time

islanders are able to vote in person before polling day. There

has been a steady stream of people at St Paul's Centre today as they

choose Senators, Constables and Deputies.

Jersey's states won't be paying compensation to a man who failed to

break a world record. Terry Macdonald still faces massive debts

four years after his plans to let off 100,000 fireworks at the end of

the Battle of Flowers were cancelled. The rockets were

eventually destroyed, but it left him bankrupt and jobless. The

States has reviewed why he was told he couldn't set them off, and

decided that they shouldn't pay him compensation.

Restoring a licensing system for commercial fishing within twelve

miles of the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a step closer. The Commerce and

Employment department is working with Sark and Alderney to discuss

the issue with DEFRA in the UK. If the talks are successful it hopes

fisheries licensing can be re- established. But before that can

happen there would have to be new laws extending Guernsey's

territorial waters out to 12 miles, which fishermen have welcomed.

the moment, it's a grey area. There is a loophole, and you can fish

illegally between the three and 12 mile and landing to the islands,

but with an unlicensed boat. When this is in place, it would close

the loophole and everybody will be working on a level playing field.

How much would you pay for a life- sized fibre-glass donkey? Well if

an auction in Guernsey this weekend is anything to go by, the going

rate is thousands of pounds. Dozens of painted mules were sold off -

helping to raise more than �58,000 for charity. Penny Elderfield was

there. They started out as blank canvases,

or rather blank donkeys, but ended up as something a little more

colourful. All of these donkeys were transformed by local artists,

schools and businesses to raise money for the Guernsey adult

literacy project. They've become a familiar sight around the Island

over the Summer and captured the imagination of all age groups.

They're absolutely amazing. They are all different. They are just

wonderful. I will be sad to see them go. I like it. What do you

like about it? Because it is strike the! But time had come to auction

them off. And as the crowds filled the Performing Arts Centre, it

became clear how popular they were. The bids just kept on coming in and

each mule found a new owner. grandmother brought a lovely patch,

so it will sit in the bedroom. He is going to come and live with us.

We are excited about that. organisers watched as the total

raised went up and up - reaching more than �58,000, and exceeding

all expectations. A standing, really. We had no idea at the start

of the day what kind of money we would be raising. I had a number my

head, thinking around that demand, but this has exceeded all our

expectations. It has been marvellous. Having raised enough

money to fund the charity for a whole year, there's no doubt the

donkeys were a huge success. The question now though is which animal

next? You're watching the BBC in the

Channel Islands. Later in Spotlight with Justin and Victoria - riding

the wave of success - thousands watch the Americas Cup come to an

end. Hundreds of volunteers were out in

force cleaning up Guernsey's beaches at the weekend. The groups,

such as this one at Portinfer, braved the weather to pick up and

record any litter they found. It's part of the Marine Conservation

Society's Beachwatch survey - and the results will be published next

year. There was a cricket inter-insular

at the weekend but not at any of the usual venues. The islands were

playing each other in the ICC World Cricket League Division Six in

Malaysia. Guernsey took the honours in a narrow nine run victory.

Guernsey also beat Fiji yesterday and now have maximum points. Jersey

suffered their second defeat when they lost to Kuwait earlier today.

A new TV comedy series created by two Guernseymen will be beamed to a

worldwide audience tonight. "This is Jinsy" is set on a fictional

island - but there are echoes of Channel Island life - and they're

not totally flattering. The show was written and produced by Chris

Bran and Justin Chubb. It has a host of guest stars and has already

earned rave reviews and a bit of a cult following. Amy Harris has more.

Oh, why pure knows. It's a comedy show about a rather

alternative island, called This is Jinsy. It's created and stars these

two Guernseymen so no surprises there are playful parallels with

the Channel Islands. These scenes, guest starring believe it or not,

David Tenant in the yellow, will air tonight on Sky tv, the first of

an eight part series. One of the creators Justin Chubb says the

humour is an acquired taste. Some people may like it. Other people

may think, what on earth was all that about?! I think perhaps

younger people might like it. Hopefully, it has got a lot of

colour and energy and each week we tell a little story. For those that

do like what they see, here in Guernsey there is a special display

at the museum, featuring various props from the series. Look out for

these two faceballs tonight. I hope people will enjoy it. People that

has seen the show, even people that have not seen the show, come and

have a look, have a little smile at it, and maybe you'll enjoy it.

Tonight is the culminatation of years of hard work and like it or

loath it, with a worldwide audience, it will certainly put Jinsy and

it's Guernsey creators on the map. And Jinsy is on Sky Atlantic

tonight at 22.10. Some unsettled weather in the next

couple of days, but the weather turns a bit quieter from Wednesday

afternoon. The latter part of the week is looking like the best part

of the week. For the time being, there is above the front close by

and we are between weather fronts at the moment. Some wet air trapped.

A risk are patchy rain tonight. Another weather front edges towards

us during the day. Slow progress. Eventually, a risk of patchy rain

tomorrow evening. That would clear run Wednesday and with this area of

a pressure slowly building, it looks like a generally find and to

the week. Tonight, a good deal of cloud, and a few showery outbreaks

of rain. Temperatures will be mild, no lower than 13 degrees for most

places. Tomorrow, starting with a lot of cloud. It will thicken up as

the day goes on. With the weather front edging towards us from the

north later in the day, there could be a few spots of rain by tomorrow

evening. Top temperature of 18 and 19 degrees Celsius and a gentle,

moderate, south westerly wind. This is the coastal waters forecast,

wind from the south and south-west force four or five. Visibility will

be moderate or good. These are the This is your outlet for the rest of

the week. Wednesday, starting with cloud and patchy rain which would

here by lunchtime. Right ring to the afternoon and by Thursday and

Friday, looking mainly fine and dry with pride or sunny spells. --